Wolves stay in play-off hunt with win over Catalans

Betfred Super League, Halliwell Jones Stadium

Warrington (12) 30

Tries: Gardner, Jake Thewlis 2, Stone, Josh Thewlis Goals: Sneyd 5

Catalans (22) 22

Tries: Makinson 3, Laguerre Goals: Aispuro-Buchet 3

Warrington Wolves came from 22-6 down to beat Catalans Dragons and maintain their hopes of a place in the Super League play-offs.

Tommy Makinson's hat-trick inside half an hour had given the visitors a big lead, with Matthieu Laguerre also going over for the visitors.

Zack Gardner scored Wire's first try before Jake Thewlis added a second to bring them back to 22-12 behind at half-time.

Warrington then totally dominated the second half as tries from Sam Stone and a second from Jake Thewlis put them in front before Josh Thewlis sprinted in to seal victory as Wolves moved to within three points of sixth-placed Hull FC.

It was a fourth consecutive victory for Warrington over Catalans but they were outplayed in the first half.

Makinson scored the opening try after only four minutes with a dive into the left corner but Wire kept a loose ball alive and worked it right to give Garner a walk in.

The French side then took control as centre Laguerre ran over two would-be tacklers to score their second try before full-back Guillermo Aispuro-Buchet chipped over the defence, his kick was regathered and the play moved left for Makinson's second try.

His hat-trick soon followed as Laguerre again burst through the defence and stand-off Luke Keary kicked to the left corner on the last tackle. It was claimed by Makinson, who did superbly well to ground the ball before being taken into touch.

But the winger fell awkwardly on his shoulder, was forced off and it proved to be Catalans' last points of the match.

Wire replied before the break as George Williams kicked over the defence, Connor Wrench gathered and sent Jake Thewlis galloping up the left touchline to score.

On the resumption, Williams' grubber was deflected into the path of Stone to gather and score to launch a sustained period of pressure from the home side.

They eventually went ahead as Jake Thewlis scored the try of the night. Offered a moment's space in the left corner, he dived for the line and grounded the ball with both feet above waist height.

Marc Sneyd then landed a superb goal, his fourth out of five in all, to put Warrington in front for the first time.

Victory was sealed as Catalans overplayed with time ticking down, lost possession on halfway and the loose ball was collected by Josh Thewlis, who ran in Wire's fifth try.

Warrington: Rachford, Josh Thewlis, Gardner, Wrench, Jake Thewlis, Williams, Sneyd, Yates, Walker, Matterson, Stone, Fitzgibbon, Currie

Interchanges: Powell, Philbin, Thomas, Holroyd

Catalans: Aispuro-Buchet, Makinson, Laguerre, Smith, Cotric, Keary, Fages, Maria, Da Costa, Satae, Garcia, Sironen, Partington

Interchanges: Pangai Jr, Navarette, Dezaria, Balmforth

Referee: Tom Grant.